Running Late

"Youmu Konpaku is a half-human half-phantom. She works as a gardener and a sword instructor. Seeing as she often claims to be inexperienced, it's no surprise that a school uniform really suits her.

A true hard worker, Youmu aspired to be a model student. She believed solid daily routines were essential and, as such, she was hardly ever late. But that doesn't mean never..."

"If you don't arrive somewhere on time, then you're late. And if you don't want to be late for school, you'd better be there when morning classes start.

""Late for school."" For many, that phrase inspires the image of a young girl racing down the street with a slice of toast in her mouth. But that beggars the question, have YOU ever run anywhere with toast in your mouth? Have you ever seen anyone else doing that?"

"The girl running with toast in her mouth will inevitably round a corner and bump into someone. That, too, is an image familiar to many.

But if that girl were a half-human half-phantom from Gensokyo, what would happen next...?"

"Hakurei Shrine Academy Adventure: Remilienteering!
There are many reasons a student might be late, but in Youmu Konpaku's case, it may be because of her master's selfishness.

""Going to school is boring. I want to stay home and look at the cherry blossoms,"" she would often say.

At times like that, it was Youmu's job to drag her master to school."

"Youmu rushed up the stairs as the Hakurei Shrine School bell chimed, signaling she was about to be late. She should've been able to arrive early, but with all that had happened that morning, things simply didn't work out that way. With just a little further to go, she burst into a sprint.

Suddenly, she bumped into someone. Perhaps doing so is the fate of all students running late.

A girl with a red ribbon in her hair blocked Youmu's path.
""It's dangerous to go that fast,"" she said. Youmu had heard rumors about this girl. They say whenever there's trouble at school, she can't help but get involved and try to resolve it.
""I'm glad I bumped into you,"" she smiled. ""Do you know where the biggest cherry blossom tree around here is?""

Without a word, Youmu reached for the swords on her back.
""Ah, so that's how you wanna play this?"" smirked the girl as she took out her ofuda and needles.

No matter what world they're in, these two are destined to battle."